---
title: "NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 4: Complete Guide"
game: "NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 4"
game_url: "https://qna.gg/games/naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-storm-4"
author: "Qloud"
author_url: "https://qna.gg/players/Qloud"
topics: ["Builds"]
summary: "A guide to CyberConnect2's 2016 arena fighter and its Road to Boruto expansion: the team battle system, story and adventure modes, unlocking characters, online play and PC tips. Researched September 2026 — current as…"
url: "https://qna.gg/g/naruto-shippuden-ultimate-ninja-storm-4-complete-guide-4cc3c215"
published: "2026-09-27T17:33:34.696Z"
updated: "2026-09-27T17:33:34.696Z"
source: "QnA.GG"
---

# NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 4: Complete Guide

A guide to CyberConnect2's 2016 arena fighter and its Road to Boruto expansion: the team battle system, story and adventure modes, unlocking characters, online play and PC tips.

*Researched September 2026 — current as of the final PC build (the Road to Boruto patch of 3 February 2017 added 60 fps, Spectator Mode and 8-player endless mode; no gameplay patches since). Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.*

## Quick Start

1. **You fight as a team of three.** One fighter is on the field; the other two are supports you can call in or swap to mid-fight.
2. **Swapping is a core mechanic.** Build meter with one character and switch to another. The shared resources carry across.
3. **Substitution Jutsu saves you, but it is limited.** Substitutions draw from a gauge that refills over time. Spend them to escape combos, not every stray hit.
4. **Guarding is not safe forever.** Grabs and guard-breaking attacks punish players who just hold guard.
5. **Walls are part of the arena.** Wall-running is back, and one fighter can even be on a wall while another fights on the ground.
6. **Elements have side effects.** Fire can burn clothing (move or use water attacks to put it out), and other elements have their own effects.
7. **Story first.** Story mode unlocks most of the roster and stages as you progress. Play it before diving into online.
8. **Road to Boruto is the complete package.** If you own the Road to Boruto edition, you get Boruto's Tale plus seven extra fighters.

## Core Battle System

### The basics
| Action | What it does |
|---|---|
| Chakra charge | Build chakra to power jutsu, dashes and ultimates |
| Chakra dash | Close distance quickly; costs chakra |
| Melee combo | Basic string of attacks |
| Ninjutsu | A chakra-powered special technique |
| Ultimate / Secret technique | A cinematic finisher that costs heavy chakra |
| Guard | Blocks most attacks |
| Substitution | Instant escape using a gauge segment |
| Support call | Summon a teammate to attack or defend |
| Character swap | Switch your active fighter mid-battle |

Controls vary by device; the in-game tutorial and Training mode show the exact button for each action on your controller or keyboard.

### Team building
- **Pick one main you are comfortable with** and two teammates whose support attacks cover its weaknesses.
- **Fast, long-reaching supports** are easiest to use: they interrupt enemy pressure and extend your combos.
- **Swapping mid-combo** keeps pressure going while your main's chakra rebuilds.

### Awakening and team ultimates
- **Awakening** turns your fighter into a powered-up form (Kurama modes, Susanoo, Sage Mode and so on). It changes moves and adds damage but has trade-offs.
- **Team Ultimate Jutsu** combine two or three fighters into a single devastating attack when the right conditions and teammates are met.
- These are your comeback tools. Save them for when a hit will decide the round, not the first opening you see.

### Substitution gauge
- Every substitution consumes part of the gauge. It regenerates over time.
- If the gauge is empty, you cannot escape combos. Play defensively until it recovers.
- Baiting an opponent's substitution, then punishing the reappearance, is the heart of competitive play.

### Wall-running and arena control
- Running up walls lets you dodge ground attacks and approach from angles.
- A fighter on a wall can still be hit, so do not linger there.

### Elements
- Some jutsu have elemental properties. The Wikipedia summary highlights fire burning clothing, which you can extinguish by moving or with water attacks.
- Clothing damage is also visual; torn outfits carry into the rest of the fight.

## Modes

| Mode | What it is |
|---|---|
| Story Mode | The Fourth Shinobi World War arc, with parallel chapters for Naruto and Sasuke; a post-game unlocks side stories |
| Adventure Mode | Unlocked after the main story; explore an open world and recreate battles from earlier games in the series |
| Free Battle | Offline versus against CPU or a friend |
| Online | Ranked and player matches, tournaments, Spectator Mode and an 8-player endless mode (added in the Feb 2017 patch) |
| Boruto's Tale (Road to Boruto) | A new story following Boruto, including Sasuke's battle with Kinshiki, with an open Hidden Leaf Village hub |

### Story Mode tips
- Boss battles include cinematic prompts and multi-phase fights; failing a quick-time prompt costs you the bonus, not the fight, in most cases.
- Replaying chapters on higher difficulty and completing secret conditions earns extra rewards.
- Story progress unlocks fighters, supports and stages for all other modes.

### Adventure Mode tips
- Treat it as your collectible and currency hunt; revisiting battles earns rewards for character customization and extras.
- Explore thoroughly; items and side battles are scattered around.

## Roster Notes

The complete game counts **106 fighters including character variants**. The Road to Boruto expansion added seven:

| Road to Boruto fighter |
|---|
| Boruto |
| Boruto (Scientific Ninja Tool) |
| Sarada |
| Mitsuki |
| Naruto (Seventh Hokage) |
| Sasuke (Wandering Shinobi) |
| Mecha-Naruto |

Beginner-friendly picks share a few traits: fast approach tools, reliable projectiles, and simple combo routes. Series headliners like Naruto and Sasuke variants are good starting points because the story makes you learn them anyway.

## Online Play

- Ranked matches reward consistent fundamentals: guarding, substitution management and punishing whiffs.
- Many online players rely on long-range projectiles; approach with chakra dash when they are recovering, not head-on.
- Spectator Mode lets you watch matches, which is a good way to learn team setups.
- As an older title, online player counts vary by region and time. Use player matches and friend invites if ranked queues are slow.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Spending substitutions on every hit.** You will be empty when the real combo comes.
- **Holding guard forever.** Grabs and guard breaks will punish you.
- **Ignoring supports.** They are a third of your team; call them to break pressure and extend combos.
- **Wasting awakenings early.** Use them when they will swing the round.
- **Spamming the same jutsu.** Experienced players read it and punish recovery.
- **Skipping Story mode.** You lock yourself out of most of the roster.
- **Chasing opponents up walls.** It usually hands them the high ground.

## Advanced Tips

- **Bait the substitution.** Hit with a quick, safe attack to draw out a substitution, then punish where they reappear.
- **Mix up approaches.** Alternate chakra dashes, jumps and projectile cover so opponents cannot guard on reflex.
- **Swap to extend combos.** Swapping mid-combo keeps damage flowing and resets your pressure.
- **Know matchups.** Some characters' ultimates and awakenings outclass others at certain ranges; learn when to avoid a fight.
- **Use Training mode for timing.** Practice support timing and combo-to-ultimate routes until they are automatic.
- **Keep chakra in reserve.** Having enough chakra to punish with an ultimate is often more valuable than using it early.

## A First-Week Practice Plan

1. **Day 1–2: Story mode on a comfortable difficulty.** Learn the basic actions in context and unlock the roster.
2. **Day 3: Training mode with one main.** Practice a basic melee combo into a jutsu, then the same combo into your ultimate. Repeat until you can do it without looking at the controller.
3. **Day 4: Supports and swapping.** Pick two supports and practice calling them mid-combo, then swapping to them. Note which support reliably interrupts an opponent's pressure.
4. **Day 5: Defense.** Set the CPU to attack and practice guarding, then substituting only when a combo actually lands. Watch your gauge.
5. **Day 6: Free Battle on higher CPU difficulty.** The AI punishes sloppy approaches and teaches you to mix up dashes and projectiles.
6. **Day 7: Online player matches.** Low pressure, real opponents. Move to ranked once you win about as often as you lose.

## PC Tips

- **60 fps** is available in the PC settings since the February 2017 patch.
- A controller is strongly recommended; the game is designed around one.
- If you want the full content, check your edition. The Road to Boruto expansion can be bought separately or as part of the Road to Boruto edition.
- For the rest of the series, Bandai Namco launched a series overview page in November 2025 covering all Ultimate Ninja Storm games.

## FAQ

**How many characters are in Ultimate Ninja Storm 4?**
106 fighters counting variants, including the Road to Boruto additions.

**Is Road to Boruto worth it?**
Yes if you enjoy the game: seven new fighters, new costumes, new stages and Boruto's Tale.

**Can I play Storm 4 online?**
Yes, through ranked and player matches. The 8-player endless mode and Spectator Mode were added in the February 2017 patch.

**How do I unlock characters?**
Mostly by progressing Story mode; others unlock through additional play and modes.

**Is there a newer game?**
Yes. NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS (2023) is the series' newest entry, but Storm 4 remains the one with the deepest Shippuden story mode.

**How well did it sell?**
Combined with Road to Boruto, the game had sold 15 million copies by June 2026 according to Wikipedia, making it one of the best-selling fighting games ever.

**What platforms is it on?**
PS4, Xbox One and Windows launched in February 2016 (Steam: 4 February 2016). The Road to Boruto version came to Nintendo Switch in April 2020.
**When does Adventure Mode open up?**
After you finish the main story campaign. It is an open world where you recreate fights from earlier games in the series, so clear Story mode first.

## Sources

- [NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM 4 – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto_Shippuden:_Ultimate_Ninja_Storm_4)
- [Steam store page (app 349040)](https://store.steampowered.com/app/349040/)
- [Steam news: Road to Boruto and 60 FPS now available (Feb 2017)](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/349040)
- [Official Ultimate Ninja Storm series page](https://naruto-official.com/en/special/naruto-storm-series/)